Changeling: An Appalachian Magic Novel Book 2 (Appalachian Magic Series) Read online

  “He knows how to survive. In the time we had together, I taught him well.”

  Skye lifted her chin. She wouldn’t let them intimidate her on this point. “I won’t go anywhere without Kheelan.”

  “So that’s how it is between ye bairns. The two of ye have an understanding?”

  Skye blushed. “No . . . there’s no . . . understanding. I just don’t want him to get hurt.”

  Annwynn’s eyes grew darker, until pupil and iris were the same purple-black shade. “We’ll protect Kheelan. Come with us now, it will be over soon.”

  Whispering tendrils of energy wound through Skye’s spirit, beckoning her to go with the Fae. Surrender.

  She shook her head, trying to chase out the alien thoughts that were not her own. Imagining Kheelan’s intense brown eyes helped her fight off the invasion. She fingered the iron medallion he’d given her for protection. “No, I won’t go alone,” Skye cried out in a loud voice.

  The pixies faded away. Annwynn’s figure became less solid, looking more like a ghost than a fairy.

  “We’ll return for ye,” she whispered. “Very soon.”

  15

  Light And Shadow

  Kheelan stared up at the apartment window in astonishment. A kaleidoscope of colors played against the windows. Someone, something, had got to Skye before him. He raced up the stairs and heard the ancient Fae language with it musical lilts and Gaelic-sounding syllables. And . . . he heard Skye’s voice, speaking alien language.

  She understood that Old Fairy language.

  He’d lived with them all his life and only knew a few dozen words of their secret language. Kheelan paused. Even though he couldn’t make out what she said, Skye didn’t sound agitated, a good sign. Whoever was in there, they must be part of the Seelie Court.

  One step from the door, he heard Skye’s voice rise in agitation. The lights from the window dimmed and then went out completely. The blackness was total and soundless.

  He rapped on the door sharply.

  “Skye, open up. It’s me, Kheelan.”

  Metal brushed against metal, the chain dropped and the doorknob twisted.

  She looked like fire. Her long red hair, as brilliant as the setting sun, stuck out everywhere and she wore red sweatpants and a red sweatshirt. Her eyes were a green flame, smoldering in an ashen face. She looked more fairy than human.

  “You haven’t left me.” Not waiting for an answer, Kheelan crushed her against his chest, then backed away as his hands came in contact with something stiff and unnatural through her shirt.

  “My back was bothering me again, so I put on a brace.”

  He waved his hand dismissively. Now that he knew she was unharmed, his attention turned to what he’d seen from outside her door.

  In the second before Skye flipped on the light switch, he’d seen a trail of phosphorescent streaks, a classic mark that pixies left when they quickly exit the physical world.

  “Tell me about your visitors.” He walked through the room and inhaled deeply. The place smelled like a humid funeral parlor.

  Plants were everywhere.

  “Your Annwynn was here.”

  “She’s not my anything.” His guts twisted. No doubt about it, the fairies knew who and what Skye was. They didn’t need him anymore. No way would they let her slip from their grasp now.

  Freedom. All his careful planning, the element of surprise, all his hope—gone. He sank into the nearest chair and covered his face with his hands. The years ahead stretched out in monotonous bleakness; shifting from one impersonal home to another, performing menial labor punctuated with rounds of dangerous errands for causes not his own, all while being watched by a secession of indifferent Guardians.

  Skye’s warm, human hands stroked his hair and then gently uncovered his face. He stared at her kind eyes and his breath caught.

  No more Skye.

  He tried to smile and failed.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  She looked like hell. Dark shadows formed half-moons under exhausted eyes. Her hair was a tangled mess, with even more purple streaks than when he saw her hours ago. Skye was turning into one of them.

  He ran his fingers over one of the purple strands, wondering how long it would be before her flesh turned cold and her eyes transformed from grass green to some impossible Crayola crayon color. Once the chrysalis was completed, she would have wings.

  Skye would fly away and never look back. It was the fairy way.

  “Talk to me, Kheelan.”

  “You’ve changed. I can see it in your eyes and your hair.”

  “Look, I’ve had a hell of a night. Don’t give me attitude.”

  “What was Annwynn doing here?”

  Skye’s eyes turned crafty, just like his childhood Guardian.

  “I saw the lights outside your apartment. Hell, I even heard you talking with her. And the worst thing is I couldn’t understand a word you were saying.”

  “You were eavesdropping.”

  “So, what? That’s what I’ve been trained to do. It’s my job.”

  “You shouldn’t listen in on other people’s conversations.” She folded her arms reprovingly.

  “Don’t get hostile on me. You were both jabbering in fairy.”

  Her eyes widened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You don’t realize your Gift? Annwynn spoke in the fairy language and you answered in fairy. You’re one of them now.”

  Skye backed away, avoiding his eyes

  “How long have you known?” he demanded harshly.

  “I only found out tonight.”

  She edged away from him, bumped into a coffee table and almost fell. Even as she stumbled, she shifted her body position so she stayed facing him.

  Dread unfurled in his gut. “Turn around,” he demanded.

  “No.” She tugged at the end of her sweatshirt while he tried to edge around her, catching a glimpse of the odd lumps beneath the fabric.

  The truth was so evident. “You got your wings.”

  She lifted her chin. “It was a total shock to me. How long did you know it would happen?”

  She had him there. “From the beginning,” he admitted, “on the night we met. After Kyle left and Michael and Tanner came in, you went and stood near the crystals and they lit up like a Vegas nightclub. Your whole body swirled with a rainbow aura.”

  “I . . . had no clue I could do that.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know. Unless Annwynn has filled you in on the details. What has she told you?”

  “That I am The One to save them from the Unseelie. She asked me to leave with her, offered the protection of the good Fae against the goblins and other creatures that have been attacking us.”

  Kheelan cursed under his breath. “Don’t go alone with her,

  Skye. They could trap you there forever.”

  “You knew about this legend,” she accused.

  “Of course, I knew. No one else has the rainbow aura.”

  Comprehension lit her face. “You planned on using this, using me. What kind of dangerous game are you playing Kheelan?”

  “You were my one shot at freedom.”

  He was using her. Pain shot through Skye coupled with a fierce anger that made the room crackle with tension.

  She’d endured a cold mother, an absent dad, ridicule throughout high school, rejection by Tanner, but this . . . this was the worst.

  “You accuse me of turning into them—one of the fairies. I can’t help my biology but you are more like the Fae than I could ever be. You’re deceitful and selfish and scheming and–”

  The look of hurt astonishment on his face broke through her haze of anger. Kheelan sighed deeply and ran a hand through his tousled hair. Her eyes zeroed in on the ostrich and Celtic wreath tattoo, the mark of his forced servitude.

  “What was your plan Kheelan?” she asked in a more calm voice. “I’ve already agreed to help you. Tell me what I’m missing here.”

  �
��I’ve read their Book of Legends. It predicated that a human will accompany The One to the Seelie Court on the night of Samhain. Whoever brings her into the Fairy Realm will be granted a boon from the Fae.”

  “And you planned to ask for your freedom,” Skye guessed. She tried to swallow around the lump of hurt in her throat. “You should have told me.”

  “You wouldn’t have done it just for me. Why should you? I’m nothing but a commodity to the Fae. To tell you the truth, I think you’re right. I am like them; they’ve squeezed out every ounce of humanity I tried to keep for myself.”

  “Kheelan.” Skye walked to him and drew his hand to her mouth, kissing his tattoo. His skin fluttered against her lips, as if the tattoo feather was trying to fly free. She couldn’t stay angry. Skye had no idea what it was like to be denied freedom, human contact and affection. She looked up into his dark, tortured eyes and was lost in their warmth.

  He cared. Even if he didn’t realize it yet, didn’t understand the strength and depth of human love, Skye knew it was there inside him.

  The air around them was charged; electric, magnetic pulses radiated and swirled with energy.

  When Kheelan crushed her mouth with a kiss, Skye wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into his body. His hands pressed her back.

  “Ouch!” she protested as the wings pinched her spine.

  Kheelan held her at arm’s length. “I want to see you. Really see you.” His voice was gruff and deep and he kept his eyes locked with hers as he slowly pulled the sweatshirt up over her head and tossed it to the floor. He arched a brow at the yards of Ace bandage wrapped around her chest and back.

  Skye’s arms flew to her chest. How mortifying. She looked ridiculous. Still, she didn’t stop him when he drew her arms to her sides and carefully undid her binding.

  The bandage slipped to the floor and her wings expanded and burst free with a life of their own. He gently twirled her around with one hand. She’d never felt so exposed in her life, or so nervous. Kheelan would be disgusted, he hated everything about fairies. And there was no denying now that she was half-fae. She stiffened, squaring her shoulders in preparation for his rebuff.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered.

  “Really?” Her wings did a little flutter of relief.

  He kissed her again, gently this time.

  The tenderness undid her. It touched her in the dark abyss where her deepest insecurities were firmly entrenched. She cupped his face with her hands and pressed into the hard, stubborn line of his jaw, felt the bones that shaped the planes of his cheeks. He’d been through so much. Had lived such a sad life with no love or acceptance. Skye ached to show him love and shower him with affection and passion.

  She broke from his kiss and took a step backward, reaching out a hand. “Let’s go to my room,” she said huskily, fighting back a sudden bout of shyness.

  One eyebrow raised. “Does this mean what I think it means?” She nodded, unable to speak.

  “Are you sure that –”

  “Yes.” She squeezed his hand and then turned and walked down the hallway.

  He didn’t immediately follow.

  Skye went to her room and sat on the edge of her bed, twisting her fingers in her lap. He doesn’t want me after all. I’ve made a fool of myself. Again. I’ll be mortified if . . .

  He filled the doorway—tall and dark and so very solid and powerful. A spasm of self-doubt clawed her gut. He’d had many women, she was sure of it. What if she wasn’t as good, as desirable as the beautiful fairies he’d known?

  “What is it?” He frowned and crossed over to her at once, sitting next to her on the bed. “Second thoughts? We don’t have to do anything.” Kheelan kissed her forehead. “It’s okay.”

  “I want to.” Skye hung her head, embarrassed to meet his eyes.

  “I just hope I don’t disappoint you.”

  “Hey look at me.” He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face. “You could never disappoint me, Skye. You’re so warm, so loving.”

  What had she ever done to deserve such a man? She put her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the passion in her soul. He fell back on the bed and she lay on top of him, her hips pressing into his rigid manhood. Dear goddesses, she’d been made for this moment, made to become one with this man.

  Skye stood and cast off the bottom half of her sweatpants. Too bad she hadn’t been wearing something sexier for the occasion, but she hadn’t known earlier that tonight would be The Night.

  Kheelan rose from the bed and quickly shed his clothes, never taking his eyes off her body. She felt so powerful . . . so womanly.

  He lay on the bed and beckoned her to join him.

  With no hesitation, Skye sank down beside him, thrilling at the full-bodied naked contact. It was finally happening. Her heart raced and her nerves danced and tingled all over. He touched and kissed and probed and suckled until she was weak and desperate.

  “Stop,” she whispered.

  He went still. “What’s wrong? Changed your mind?”

  Skye giggled. “Not a chance.”

  “Then why—”

  “It’s your turn.” Hesitantly, she reached down and touched his erection. Kheelan moaned and sucked in his breath. Emboldened, she explored further.

  And then he was on top of her, his face intense and strained.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes.” A million times yes.

  He entered and she tensed at the strange, filling sensation. It was overwhelming . . . it was even perhaps . . . pleasant. Skye wiggled her hips experimentally. Oh there. That was much, much better.

  Kheelan pulled away and thrust back into her. Yes, he liked this very much.

  Afterward, she lay in his arms and stretched contentedly. The salt lamp cast a cheery orange glow on the indigo walls. Everything in her room was exactly as before; same floral comforter, same books and crystals, same familiar smell of frankincense.

  But she was changed. She’d given her heart and body to a man and vowed she’d never regret a bit of it, come what may. Kheelan’s arm lay across her side and she lightly traced the tattoo. Her joy faded. “What they’ve done to you is so wrong.”

  His muscles tensed beneath her fingertips and he abruptly got out of bed and gathered his clothes from the floor.

  Skye sat up. “What’s wrong? Where are you going?”

  His face was hard, his lips pinched. “We shouldn’t have made love.”

  His words shocked her like a sudden dousing of ice. “But why? I don’t understand.” She reached out to touch him but he twisted away.

  “Don’t you get it? I’m not like you.” He pulled on his jeans and pointed to his back. “Can’t you see my deformity? Unlike you, I have no wings, no power, no magic.”

  Hot anger surged through the earlier shock. “I wouldn’t care if you sprouted horns on your head. Do you really think I want these . . . these, things sticking out my back?”

  Kheelan pulled his shirt down, then turned to face her. “You say that now,” he warned in a voice so deep it vibrated through her body. “Just wait. A little time in the Fairy Realm, and you’ll look down on me, too.”

  “I can’t believe you think so little of me.”

  Kheelan went to the door and turned. “It’s dawn. You should be safe until tonight. I’ll be back then to make sure the Unseelie don’t catch you.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  The door closed and she hugged her arms. Yes, she could take care of herself, but that didn’t mean she wanted to be alone. It would have been heaven if Kheelan had stayed with her and held her through the night.

  16

  Fairy Repellent

  “I don’t see you for a couple of months and now you’re a totally different creature,” Callie said after a prolonged silence.

  Finding her best friend on the doorstep only minutes after Kheelan stormed out was a goddess-send. No one else would believe everything that had happened in the last couple of
weeks, let alone have advice. Talking over all the weirdness with Callie was a huge relief. Skye told her everything, from seeing the first black speck to being able to fly.

  Had it really been a mere two weeks? Her world had been shaken like a miniature snow globe, a blizzard of strange events. Callie remained silent, a concerned look in her eyes. She lifted the metal pendant from Skye’s chest and stroked it thoughtfully.

  “That iron medallion isn’t enough protection.”

  “Tell me about it,” Skye agreed, rolling her eyes. “The same night he gave it to me, I was attacked by elves.”

  “How much do you trust this Kheelan guy?” Callie asked.

  “Completely,” Skye answered at once. “Well, at least I did until a few minutes ago. Now I’m not so sure. Is there a way to know?

  If anybody can figure this out, it’s you.”

  “You overestimate my abilities.”

  “C’mon, Callie. I’ve seen you in action.” Her friend had amazing witchy talent.

  Callie tapped an index finger against her lips, deep in thought. “Still wanting to open your own crystal jewelry store one day?”

  “It’s why I went to work at The Green Fairy. Got more than I bargained for though. Wish I had your magic abilities.”

  “You don’t give yourself enough credit. I’ve never seen anyone manipulate energy with crystals like you do. It makes perfect sense though.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re half-fairy and that means you have a special connection to earth magic. Do you still have the obsidian you found in the store’s basement?”

  “Sure. Think you might be able to see anything with it?”

  “I’ll try.”

  Skye hurried to get the obsidian from her bedroom and they sat across from each other and lit candles and incense. Just like old times. The heavy scent of the dragon’s blood incense and the hypnotic flicker of the candle flames put Skye in a drowsy trance. Callie reverently held the stone in her open palm and chanted.